perceive

verb

per·​ceive pər-ˈsēv 

perceived; perceiving; perceives

transitive verb

1

a

: to attain awareness or understanding of

b

: to regard as being such

was perceived as a loser

2

: to become aware of through the senses

especially : see, observe

perceivable

pər-ˈsē-və-bəl 

adjective

perceivably

pər-ˈsē-və-blē 

adverb

perceiver noun

Synonyms of perceive

• feel
• sense
• see
• notice
• smell
• hear

Examples of perceive in a Sentence

We perceive by means of the kaleidoscopic mirror of this life. This means that our ability to perceive is at once tyrannized by our expectations, and at war with them. —James Baldwin, The Evidence of Things Not Seen, 1985

Standing in the hallway just out of sight during this interview was Sarah. She held her baby on her hip and she listened. She perceived as no one in the family could the enormity of the misfortune. —E. L. Doctorow, Ragtime, 1974

… and when they perceived her to be little struck with the duet they were so good as to play, they could do no more than make her a generous present of some of their least valued toys, and leave her to herself, while they adjourned to whatever might be the favourite holiday sport of the moment, making artificial flowers or wasting gold paper. —Jane Austen, Mansfield Park, 1814

I thought I perceived a problem, but I wasn't sure.

perceived that it was going to be a nice day

Recent Examples on the Web

Cuteness can also obscure the invasive potential of AI agents, soften how users perceive risks such as extensive data collection and surveillance, and distract people into allowing agents to act on their behalf without clear consent. — Ankolika De, The Conversation, 5 Nov. 2026

This ranking reflects not only how employees view their own workplace but also how companies are perceived across their sector, creating a balanced and independent assessment of the region's top employers. — Time Staff, Time, 3 Nov. 2026

In some cases, the contenders have made statements many Jews perceive as antisemitic or who have alliances with personalities known for statements widely viewed as antisemitic. — Tovah Lazaroff, Sun Sentinel, 3 Nov. 2026

Targets household robotics Meta’s reported design requirements place considerable emphasis on how the robot perceives and communicates with people. — Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 2 Nov. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French perceivre, from Latin percipere, from per- thoroughly + capere to take — more at heave entry 1

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for perceive

• achieve
• believe
• conceive
• deceive
• naive
• receive
• relieve
• reprieve
• retrieve
• breve
• cleave
• cleeve

Kids Definition

perceive

verb

per·​ceive pər-ˈsēv 

perceived; perceiving

1

: understand sense 1a, comprehend

2

: to become aware of through the senses and especially through sight

perceiver noun

Medical Definition

perceive

transitive verb

per·​ceive pər-ˈsēv 

perceived; perceiving

: to become aware of through the senses

perceivable

-ˈsē-və-bəl 

adjective

perceivably

-blē 

adverb

perceiver noun